Five bailed in RAF Fairford probe as UK police weigh foreign-state link

Five British men arrested near a US-operated air base in western England were released on bail on Monday, as counterterrorism detectives said they were pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, including a possible connection to Iran.

The men, all British nationals from London in their 20s, were detained early on Sunday after three vans were seen in countryside near RAF Fairford. They were initially held on suspicion of explosives offences and later also arrested on suspicion of preparing an act of terrorism. None has been named.

Announcing the bail decision, the head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, Laurence Taylor, said the suspects face stringent conditions and "absolutely remain under investigation." He said the lines of inquiry include the possibility that the suspected offences were committed by "proxies or individuals, either knowingly or unknowingly, working on behalf of a foreign state."

Investigators have not concluded whether the incident was state-backed. They are examining possible links to Iran, Russia or non-state militant groups. British authorities have previously accused both Russia and Iran of using local criminal proxies to carry out arson and sabotage on British soil, and say such attacks are becoming more frequent.

RAF Fairford is owned by the UK but operated by the US Air Force. It has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East, including this year's war with Iran, and has also drawn protests from anti-war campaigners.

Iran denied any involvement. The Iranian Embassy in London said it "categorically rejects and strongly condemns the recent unfounded and malicious speculations" about the incident.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity that the matter "clearly involves the hands of a foreign actor," without naming a specific country. President Donald Trump has suggested that British and American authorities working together foiled a serious attempt to attack the base.

Residents were evacuated from 85 homes in the village of Whelford near the base on Sunday, and army bomb-disposal experts used a robot to examine the three white vans. Villagers were allowed to return home late on Monday afternoon, though a cordon remained around the vehicles, police said.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham chaired a meeting of the government's COBRA emergency committee on Monday "to make sure we have the full picture" of the incident, he said. Local residents reported noticing increased security around the perimeter of RAF Fairford in recent weeks. Police said their investigation still has a long way to run and declined to comment on any potential link between the arrests, the base and the wider geopolitical situation.